As a result of UEFA’s ban following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia remains unable to compete in Euro 2024 qualifying. Russia’s exclusion from major tournaments began in February.
Consequently, the senior men’s team has not played a game in over 10 months. However, Russia will play a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan this weekend.
The qualifying draw for Euro 2024 will take place on October 9. In 2024, Germany will host the main international competition in Europe.
Russia was previously sanctioned by UEFA’s executive committee in late February. They went on to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport; however, the original decision was upheld by the courts in July.
Russia banned from qualifying for Euro 2024
In an official statement released on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed the decision to extend Russia’s ban. “All Russian teams are currently suspended following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee on February 28, 2022, which was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on July 15, 2022,” the statement read. “Russia is therefore not included in the 2022-24 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying draw.”
Obviously, the ban also means that the Russians will not participate in the next World Cup in Qatar. When they were banned in February, they were removed from qualifying with immediate effect. Russia was scheduled to face Poland in Moscow in March, but the game was cancelled. Poland advanced in the standings by a walkover.
OFFICIAL: Russia will not compete in the Euro 2024 qualifiers as the nation’s ban from UEFA competitions remains active following its military invasion of Ukraine pic.twitter.com/TBBwZURmrO
– B/R Football (@brfootball) September 20, 2022
However, the Russian football embargo did not only affect the men’s team. The women’s national team was also sanctioned and expelled from this summer’s Women’s Euro Cup. Portugal took Russia’s place in the competition.
The 2022 Champions League final was also affected by Russia’s actions. Although it was initially supposed to be held in Saint Petersburg, the decision was made to move the match to Paris just one day after the invasion.
It remains to be seen when Russia will be able to play in another tournament in the future.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sports photo pack
